The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-11-23
III thy brother hath aught against
thee repeated the echo.

'iAoo AepcatcV ZIG cCnO.
He'd no business to lay it up
against me! He ought to thank me
for telling him the downright truth. I"
Leave there thy gift before the
altar'-repeated memory again.
Stop a good thing because l don't
please an old curmudgeon like that"
First be reconciled with thv broth.
err sang the memorable verse.
There's no such thing! Might rs
we'll try to be reconcilel with an old
bear. There's 10 use wasting words
with him."
"Then-then como and offer thy
gift"
Observation-Disclosures u fool 1
am! l haven't heard word DR.. Par
sons has been saying. Now who's
going to offer prayer? Dsar!-if it
isn't Simon!'
There were few of the customary
greetings between the CIovers and
their neighbors when the injecting was
over Without waiting to see any
member OF the business committee,
Mr. Clover hurried headlong out of
the church. His wife lost no timo in
asking for an explanation.
ooh. Tn all upset; I'm such foolr'
What is i;?'
H. knew he would have to tell her
in the end. and besi,le it was really a
relief to him to do SO. She asked some
close questions. Tell me just what
you said" she demanded.
We'll. he said we were Just teach
ing the children to make play out of
worship. That made M, mad, and
says l: Deacon Simon, if you'd been
there when they brought the children
for Christ TO bless you'd have been one
to rebuke them as sure as fate That's
Just Your spirit right throush!'
What did he say?'
"Not a worl; though he kinder
flushed up. Guess he was mad. You
sec. was. The way 1 spoke was as
bad rs the words"
you've got to ask his pardon"
Yes" groanel her husband.
You might as well do it now. I'll
60 the rest of the way alone; you 60
right back and find him."
1T won't be a might of use, Ellen.
The minute he hears Of the church be-
ing redecorated, he'll be mad arain,
He can't abide any thing new"
Bat you'll have done your duty.
I'd go right off
Mr.. Clover turned. slowly but
obediently. There was nothing of the
strut or crow in his manner now.
He looked quite cowed AMI humbled.
Deacon Simon lived quite out on the
edge of the town. There he had in
herited q farm and homestead. He
had toilet hard over his stony acres,
and they had yielded him but scanty
living yet he was deeply attached to
the old place, as everybody knew. !
MI. Clover was surprised as he en-
tered the old-fashioncd hall to find the
carpet taken up. and only big pack
ing box ready to be nailed up standing
there in place of furniture. The par
lor too, was bare, except for some
chairs piled up, two-and-two, as if for
removal. One of these was given him,
and he was asked to wait for few
moments. Presently. h, heard the
deacon's well-known voice at evening
devotions in the next room. And
these were the words that
trembling old voice was speaking:
20 Lord. we thank Thee that
Thou hast blessed to us the shelter of
this home SO long. Now, go with us, as
we go from hence. Thy will BE- done.
o. Lord, Thou hast been our DWELLING
place in all--in alp and here there
was break, and, in the silence, the
sound of a woman sobbing was audi
bic.
A new idea broke upon Mr.. Clovcr's
mind and greatly agitated him. Can
it be that Martin has forecloscd that
mortgage9" he thought. Eyes, it must
be-; l heard the deacon was hard
pressed to raise his interest. Nothing
Else would have moved him out of his
Did place. / declare it's too bad! It's
lwfulr'
His errand was forgotten; he was in
, fever of desire to do something help
'ul. When Deacon Simon came in, he
vent toward him with extended hand |
md such earnest sympathy in his face
Is no troubled heart could have re-
used. Brother Simon" he said, Il
hadn't heard when l came, but it's |
ust come to me that you're going to
give up your home"
Eyes; Pm obliged to. It's the Lords |
will. ~
"Oh. no." said Mr.. Clover; Il can't
believe it yet Wait wait; l want to
ak to YOU"
Deacon Simon drew another chair
rom the corner, and seated himself.
Il came" said his visitor, ito ask
our forgiveness for the rude way l
poke at the meeting last month. Tn
that l spoke SO; ashamed
hat showed such a temper. Do for
i've mel"
The deacon looked bewildered for a
Moment then he seemed to recollect.
oh, that" he said; II didn't lay it
p against you. l might, perhaps, if
hadn't had so much trouble since;
nut other things put it out Of my